Husky Football Blog

Former Washington quarterback Carl Bonnell is continuing his football career in a rather unlikely locale --- Austria.

Bonnell has agreed to play for the Hohenems Blue Devils of the Austrian Football League and is already in Europe with the season due to begin March 29. His brother, Ray, who played football at Washington State, will be a player-coach for the team, serving as defensive coordinator. Ray Bonnell coached in the same league a couple of years ago.

Bonnell's father, Glenn, said Carl plans to return home in May to participate in a combine for prospective NFL free agents with the hope of getting invited to a camp but will then also have the option of returning to Austria.

Anyone who wants to know the type of experience Bonnell may be in for in Austria should read the recent
best-selling John Grisham book "Playing for Pizza'' which described a fictional season in the Italian Football League.

Carl Bonnell graduated with a degree in history and is touring Europe with his wife, Katie, until play starts in Austria.

"They took a second honeymoon,'' Glenn Bonnell said. "He's having fun.''